Emergency fuel reservoir and gauge



Nov. 27, 1956 E. w. THORNBURG 2,771,944

EMERGENCY FUEL RESERVOIR AND GAUGE Filed Dec. 26, 1951 United States Patent Q EMERGENCY FUEL RESERVOIR AND GAUGE Earl W. Thornburg, Des Moines, Iowa Application December 26, 1951, Serial No. 263,343 I Claims. (Cl. 158-364) My invention relates to an emergency fuel reservoir and gauge for use with an internal combustion engine.

In the operation of the internal combustion engine as used on automobiles, it is not uncommon to discover that the supply of gasoline in the carburetor becomes lost due to leakage after an extended period of non-use such as overnight or the like. This can and does cause delays and difliculties, especially on older vehicles, in getting started during low temperatures. Such delays and difliculties increase when a worn or weak fuel pump is-being used with a leaky carburetor and while manual priming of the carburetor and too frequently an extended use of the battery power is employed in starting the vehicle in cold weather, the cause or reason for delays or failure in starting is not always discovered by or apparent to the vehicle operator, especially if he finally succeeds in starting the engine.

With this problem in mind it is the general aim of my invention to provide a container for fuel intermediate the fuel pump and carburetor on an automotive vehicle that will indicate whether the fuel pump or carburetor or both is leaking.

Another object of my invention contemplates theme of and container of the above class that serves as an emergency fuel reservoir so that fuel therefrom can flow by gravity at times and under pressure at times into the carburetor to replace any fuel that may have evaporated or drained therefrom from non-use or been used therefrom by operation of the engine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fuel reservoir of the above class in which when a leaky fuel pump or leaky carburetor is present only a predetermined amount of fuel therefrom will normally pass by gravity into either the pump or the carburetor or both when not in operation, thus leaving an additional fuel supply in the reservoir which can be released to the carburetor by a manually operated valve, so that all of the contents of the reservoir cannot be dissipated or I lost should there be a leakage of a substantial nature.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a transparent fuel reservoir of the class above described in which the amount of fuel that drains therefrom during non-operation of the engine can be visually determined to indicate whether or not the carburetor or pump or both is leaking and if either is leaking to indicate generally the extent thereof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a transparent fuel reservoir imposed between the fuel pump and carburetor on a motor vehicle whereby it can be quickly-and easily determined whether the fuel pump is operating by observing the pump discharge end within the reservoir.

A further object of this invention is to provide an emergency fuel reservoir for automotive vehicles as above indicated that embodies the use of standard size easily replaceable glass jars.

A further object of this invention is to provide an emergency fuel reservoir for a motor vehicle that will proice vide a limited fuel supply after the main tank is exhausted and also in the event the fuel pump should cease to function.

Still further objects of my invention are to provide a fuel reservoir with the above enumerated characteristics that is economical to manufacture, easy to install and eflicient in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 1

My invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my invention shown in association with the diagrammatically illustrated fuel pump and carburetor of a motor vehicle,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view of my fuel reservoir,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of my invention showing it without fuel and having arrows to indicate the direction of movement of air and fuel when it is being filled, and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of thi device showing the liquid level below which it will not normally descend by gravity and indicating by an arrow the valve means that will drain the fuel below this point.

, Referring to the drawings I have used a diagrammatic drawing 10 in Fig. 1 to illustrate generally an internal combustion engine 12, the carburetor 14 thereon and the relative position of an ordinary fuel pump 16, with the fire wall of the vehicle being indicated at 18. My new reservoir or fuel container is shown generally at 20 in Fig. 1 imposed in the fuel line between the pump 16 and carburetor 14 and I will now describe it-in detail.

The base section 22 is circular in shape, is provided with a central bowl portion 24, and has the relatively short peripheral wall 26 that is internally threaded. On opposite sides of the bowl portion 24, the base section is provided with the inlet opening 28 and the outlet opening 30, and the bowl section is provided with a central drain opening 32 in which is mounted the pet cock 34. It will thus be observed that the base section 22 can be cast in a single piece for economy in manufacture. A glass jar 36 of standard proportionsis inverted and screwed into the base section as shown in Fig. 2 and any suitable waterproof washer or gasket 38 is used so that the jar and base section form a leakproof transparent container or reservoir. A bracket 40 secured to the firewall 18 of a vehicle supports this device within the motor compartment at a point where the outlet 30 is slightly higher than the carburetor 14 (Fig. 1).

A conduit 42 connects the outlet end of the fuel pump 16 to the bottom or outer side of inlet 28 in the base section and a tube or pipe 44 connected to the upper or inner side of the inlet 23 extends upwardly within the jar 36 and terminates in a right angle turn towards the jar wall. The inlet end of the fuel pump is connected in the customary manner to the main fuel tank (not shown) by the conduit 46 so that when the pump 16 is in operation, fuel 48 will flow directly from the main tank through the pump into the reservoir 36. A standpipe 50 connected to the inner side of the outlet 30 extends upwardly approximately two-thirds of the distance to the top of the jar in its mounted position. The length of this pipe 50 may be varied but preferably I extend it a substantial distance upwardly from the outlet'28 as will be later explained in detail and irrespective of its length it is pointed out that its upper end is below the outlet of pipe 44. A manually operated valve means 52 is mounted in the base section 22 and is adapted to selectively open and close the standpipe at the bottom portion thereof as shown in Fig. 2 and preferably this valve 52 is positioned so that it will be easily accessible, if needed (Fig; 1). The bottom or outer side of the outlet 30 is connected to the carburetor by the tube or pipe-54s An air-passageway pipe 56 is arranged within the reservoir with its" lower eridextending through the base section to communicate with the outside atmosphere and its upper end bent into an-inverted U and terminating-in the uppermost portion of the'jar 36 :(Fig. 2). Pivotally secured'to a support member 58 on the pipe 56 is the float support arm 60, on the free end of which is the float 62. A valve means 64 of ordinary construction is arranged on the float arm '62 and the relative movement of the float upwardly and'downwardly will operate/this valve to close and open the pipe'56 inamanner well known in the art.

Thus constructed and arranged, this device will operate in the following manner. In normal operation the container 20 will be filled with fuel 'fromthepump 16 as illustrated in Fig. '2, the valves 52 and "64 will be closed so that fuel will be pumped under pressure through the "standpipe 50 to'the carburetor. -Sediment in the fuel that settles'in the bowl section 24 can hereleased by opening thepetcock 34. The contents of the reservoir will be replenished from the fuel pump and pressure is created during operation by the fioat'operated valve'64 automatically cutting off the escape of airfrom within the jar through pipe 56.

After a period of non-use of the engine, if neither the carburetor nor the fuel pump is leaking,'the fuel in the jar 36 will remain the same as shown in Fig. 2. However, if only the fuel pump were leaking it is apparent that fuel'would drain back through pipe 44 but would not go below the level of the outlet thereof which is higher than the top of pipe 50. Iffthisihappen'ed'it would be obvious where the source of troublelay. On the'Other hand, if during a period of non-use of the engine, the fuel level in jar 36 dropped to the top of pipe 50 (Fig. 4).it would be a definite indication of a leaky carburetor that needed repair and may or may not reflect trouble in the fuel pump. Thus, repair of the carburetor would then make it possible to check the pump without first having to repair both. Obviously, if the fuel. level is below that of the outlet in pipe 44 in Fig. 2 but higher than in the top of standpipe 50 in Fig. 4'the leakage in the carburetor is not too great depending upon the capacity of the jar, but if the level is as shown in Fig. 4, then it can be assumed that the leakage is substantial and probably would have been greater had not the standpipe and valve 52 kept it within predetermined limits. With the fuel level in jar as in Fig. 4,'it is only necessary to manually open valve 52 so that fuel can pass through the bottom of the standpipe into the carburetor. Thus, it will be seen that anadequate supply-of fuel is always available to get the engine started without waiting for a direct supply fromthe'fuel pump. Oncethe motor is started, the fuel pump will: refill the reservoir and in the interim the emergency supply is adequate to keep the engine in operation.

It will be appreciated that while in effect this operation is a pumping action, it is directly connected tothefuel line and thus has considerable advantages over inde pendent manual priming.

and carburetor and with outletsin the reservoirat dif-- be -immediatelydetected "by: comparing the fuel-"level In addition to performing'its' main purpose of indicating"sotirces-' of t'troiible, my invention has the fnfther advantage of serving as a source of emergency fuel supply as meutioned above. Thiswouldresultin the normal operation ofthe' vehicle when the .main fuel tank became completely empty. At such a time, the carburetor would ceasetdfe'cei'vefuel when the fuel level in the jar reached that shown in Fig. 4, as none would be entering the jar from the fuel pump to keep it above the standpipe. Obviously the engine would stop, but the operator by opening the valve 52 I would have a limited known emergency fuel supply that would generallybesuflicientto take him tda filling station. Thus, whether the fuel'supply was not checked due to inadvertance 'or otherwise,- oriif the usual fuel gauge incorrect, the-'operator 'will not be' stranded when the main fuel supply is 'exhausted. When this reservoir has emptied and is being refilled b'y operation of the motor, the valve '52 is 'open '(Fig. 4) so that fuelcan reach the carburetor while the 'filling'ofthe' jar is in process and is closed as 'soonas thefuel lever is higher than the standpipe;

some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement ofmyfemergency fuel reservoir' and gauge without departing from'the real spirit andpurpose fit my invention, andit is m intentiontocover by mycIa-iins', any'modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within theirscope.

I claim;

LA- fuel container for disposition intermediate the fuel pump and carburetor on an internal combustion engine,- said container having an inlet and outlet in the bottom' thereofl-said'in-lejt adapted to communicate with the fuel pump for receiving fuel therefrom, said outlet adapted to communicate with thecarburetor, a vertical standpipe within said container that-connects to said outlot so that-fuel moving out of said container to the carburetor must pass through the length of said standpipe, "an

opentop pipe vertically disposed within said container and-connected to said inlet, said pipe terminating within said container at a higherplan'e than said standpipe, said standpipe provided with an inlet communicating with the interiorof said-container at a point'below its normal inlet, a manually operated valve means operatively associated withsaid' lower inlet in said standpipe to control the communieatio'nb'etwe'en the interior of said container and the interior of said 1 standpipe at the level there of, and automatic valve means responsive to'the' liquid level within "said container to limit the maximum 4 liquid level therein at a pointh'igher than the top 'of said pipe, said pipe,-and standpipe respectively'providing drainage outlets for'liquid in said 'container to the fuel pump and carburetor respectively during; ndn ope'ration of the engine'whereby the liquid level after a period of non- 0 eration of the engine serves as an indicatorto expedite 'locati'n'g' thesour'c'e ofle'akag'e, and means for-determining said liquid levelwithin" said container from 'exteriorly thereof. I

2. -A- fuel container for-dispositionintermediate the fuel pump and carburetor 'on an internal combustion engine, said container having an inlet and'outl'e't'in the bottom thereof, said inlet adapted to communicate with the fuelpurrip' for receiving fuel therefrom, saidoutlet adapted to communicate with the carburetor," a vertical standpipe within said; container connected-to said out'let so that-"fuel-niovinf 'ut ofsaid container to thecaifbure'tor must pass throuph the length of' said standpip; anbpeii top pipe vertically disposed within said container and connected to said inlet, said pipe terminating within said container at a hgher plane thin said standpipe, said standpipe provided with an inlet communicating with the interior of said container at a point below its normal inlet, a manually operated valve means associated with said lower inlet in said standpipe to control the communication between the interior of said container and the interior of said standpipe at the level thereof, and an automatic valve means responsive to the liquid level within said container to limit the maximum liquid level therein at a point higher than the top of said pipe; said pipe and standpipe respectively serving as drainage outlets for the fuel pump and carburetor respectively, so that after a period of non-operation of the engine a leaking condition of said fuel pump will be indicated by the liquid level being at the top of said pipe, and means for determining said liquid level within said container from exteriorly thereof.

3. A fuel container for disposition intermediate the fuel pump and carburetor on an internal combustion engine, said container having an inlet and outlet in the bottom thereof, said inlet adapted to communicate with the fuel pump for receiving fuel therefrom, said outlet adapted to communicate with the carburetor, a vertical standpipe within said container that connects to said outlet so that fuel moving out of said container to the carburetor must pass through the length of said standpipe, an open top pipe vertically disposed within said container and connected to said inlet, said pipe terminating within said container at a higher plane than said standpipe, said standpipe provided with an inlet communicating with the interior of said container at a point below its normal inlet, a manually operated valve means associated with said lower inlet in said standpipe to control the communication between the interior of said container and the interior of said standpipe at the level thereof, and an automatic valve means responsive to the liquid level within said container to limit the maximum liquid level therein at a point higher than the top of said pipe, said pipe and standpipe respectively serving as drainage outlets for the fuel pump and carburetor respectively, so that after a period of non-operation of the engine a leaking condition of said carburetor will be indicated by the liquid level being at the top of said standpipe, and means for determining said liquid level within said container from exteriorly thereof.

4. A fuel container for disposition intermediate the fuel pump and carburetor on an internal combustion engine, said container having an inlet and outlet in the bottom thereof, said inlet adapted to communicate with the fuel pump for receiving fuel therefrom, said outlet adapted to communicate with the carburetor, a vertical standpipe within said container that connects to said outlet so that fuel moving out of said container to the carburetor must pass through the length of sail standpipe, an open top pipe vertically disposed within said container and connected to said inlet, said pipe terminating within said container at a higher plane than said standpipe, said standpipe provided with an inlet communicating with the interior of said container at a point below its normal inlet, a manually operated valve means operatively associated with said lower inlet in said standpipe to control the communication between the interior of said container and the interior of said standpipe at the level thereof, and an automatic valve means responsive to the liquid level within said container to limit the maximum liquid level therein at a point higher than the top of said pipe; said pipe and standpipe respectively serving as drainage outlets for liquid in the container to the fuel pump and carburetor respectively so that after a period of non-operation of the engine, a liquid level at the top of said pipe would indicate a leaky fuel pump, a liquid level at the top of said standpipe or intermediate the respective tops of said standpipe and said pipe would indicate at least a leaky carburetor to materially expedite locating the source in need of repairs, and means for determining said liquid level within said container from exteriorly thereof.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 characterized by said level determining means comprising means for visually observing the fuel level in said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,012,937 Ullman Dec. 26, 1911 1,587,943' Fisher June 8, 1926 1,662,614 Mandolini Mar. 13, 1928 2,167,961 Sachs Aug. 1, 1939 2,274,532 Dach Feb. 24, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 740,717 France Nov. 21, 1932 

